“Cops” Has Been Canceled After 30 Years On Air
We’re at a point where, after years of asking, “Is this racist? It’s racist, right?“, pieces of American culture ranging from problematic to downright hateful are finally being removed, reevaluated, or tossed triumphantly into the lake. Police brutality and corruption is unignorable, and people have been demanding that police departments all across the country be defunded. That has led to the Paramount Network doing a little defunding themselves. They have canceled Cops.
Cops began airing in 1989 on FOX before moving to Spike in 2013 and then the Paramount Network in 2018. Cops‘ 33rd season was scheduled to premiere on Monday, but that didn’t happen. So Deadline contacted the Paramount Network and they released this statement:
“Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return.”
This news comes less than a week after the Paramount Network announced they were temporarily shelving episodes of Live PD, out of respect following the murder of George Floyd. They also quietly shelved Cops at that time.
There’s no word on whether the Paramount Network will also get rid of Live PD. Currently, it’s just on a forced hiatus. But, knowing what we know about Live PD, I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time before it joins Cops in the cancellation box. Live PD is currently fighting against allegations that the 2019 death of Javier Ambler II was recorded by Live PD’s cameras. An investigation into Javier’s death is being conducted, and to the shock of no one, Live PD allegedly destroyed said footage. You might be familiar with Live PD, because problematic chanteuse Lana Del Rey used to date/might still be dating Live PD star Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin.
'Live PD' says it destroyed video of Austin man's death during 2019 Texas police stop saying investigators never asked for it. https://t.co/F8Kdy1CUOS
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 10, 2020
Cops has been on for more than three decades, so let’s just call it a day and wave goodbye, regardless of whether you were a fan or not. Sure, Cops gave us the late great Stephanie “Excuse My Beauty” Yellowhair. The only thing I’ll miss about Cops is the theme song, because “Bad Boys” by reggae band Inner Circle is an undisputed banger. “Bad Boys” might have been their most popular song, but it’s not nearly their best. It’s time for “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” to step out of “Bad Boys” shadow. It has zero association with cops or Cops, AND it’s about getting sweaty and horny. It’s a win-win all around.
Pic: Paramount